Near Las Vegas in Clark County, Nevada — The American Mountains (Southwest)

Potosi

By Trev Meed, May 8, 2015

1. Potosi Marker

Marker has been replaced as of May, 2015.

Inscription. The desire of the Mormon settlements for economic self-sufficiency led to mining by missionaries for lead. In 1856 Nathaniel V. Jones was sent to recover ore from the "Mountain of Lead" 30 miles southwest of the mission at Las Vegas Springs. About 9,000 pounds were recovered before smelting difficulties forced the remote mine to be abandoned in 1857. Potosi became the first abandoned mine in Nevada.

In 1861 California mining interests reopened the mine, and a smelter and rock cabins of 100 busy miners made up the mining camp of Potosi. Even more extensive operations resulted after the transcontinental Salt Lake and San Pedro R.R. (now Union Pacific) was built through the county in 1905.

During World War I, Potosi was an important source of zinc.

Erected by State Historic Preservation Office. (Marker Number 115.)

Location. This marker has been replaced by another marker nearby. 36° 0.062′ N, 115° 29.125′ W. Marker is near Las Vegas, Nevada, in Clark County. Marker is at the intersection of Nevada Route 160 at milepost 19 and Mt. Potosi Canyon Road, on the left when traveling west on State Route 160. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 12006 Nevada 160, Las Vegas NV 89124, United States of America.

Credits. This page was last revised on June 16, 2016. This page originally submitted on March 31, 2010, by Bill Kirchner of Tucson, Arizona. This page has been viewed 1,216 times since then and 10 times this year. Photos:1, 2. submitted on October 10, 2015, by Trev Meed of Round Mountain, Nevada. 3, 4. submitted on March 31, 2010, by Bill Kirchner of Tucson, Arizona. • Syd Whittle was the editor who published this page.